CalFresh Emergency Grocery Card Program - Frequently Asked Questions

You are eligible for the GiveCard if you were a CalFresh recipient up until late October 2025.  

Yes. The GIveCard is in addition to your November CalFresh benefits. The GiveCard does NOT affect your November benefits.

This is a one-time program for November. For your GiveCard to remain valid, you must activate it by December 31 and use all the funds by March 31, 2026.  

Instructions for accessing your GiveCard were mailed to you the first week of November. Follow the steps to set up an online account so you can manage your card and start using your virtual GiveCard right away. If you prefer, you can also request a physical card to be mailed to you, which will arrive in five to seven business days. 

If you are unable to use the online portal, contact SFHSA for assistance at (855) 355-5757.

If you created an account to order your card, log in to your account and unfreeze the card. 

If you called SFHSA to order a physical card, watch this video to unfreeze it or follow the steps below:  

1. Go to givecard.com/foodsf.
2. At the bottom of the screen, click"Did you receive your physical card and need to unlock it?”
3. Near the bottom of the next screen, click “Do you have a CalFresh case number?”
4. Don't know your CalFresh Case ID? Check the front of your EBT card. Under your name is the 7-digit Case ID number following the first two characters.
5. Enter your CalFresh Case ID and the primary applicant’s date of birth.
6. Click “Continue”.
7. On the next screen above the “Back” button, find “Your card is frozen, click here to unfreeze it”. Click the word “here” in blue.
8. On the new window that opens, enter the GiveCard Card ID, which is the 10-digit code on the back of the GIveCard underneath the 16-digit card number. It usually contains a combination of letters and numbers.
9. Click “Unfreeze Card”.
10. The next screen should say “Success. Your card is unfrozen and ready to use. You can use this card for grocery store purchases only.”

• For card activation, eligibility, or general program questions: Call SFHSA at (855) 355-5757.
   
• To manage your account: Log in to the GiveCard portal at givecard.com/support to check virtual card balances, view transaction history, lock or unlock your card, and view your assigned billing address for online purchases. 
    
• For technical support for using your GiveCard:  Check the GiveCard’s FAQs at givecard.com/foodsf-help for information specific to our program and help.givecard.com for general information 

Still need help? Call (628) 313-5351 or email foodsf@givecard.io.

Your card’s benefit amount is based on the average CalFresh benefit for households of a similar size to yours and may not be the same as what you usually get from CalFresh. The GiveCard amount will be:  

• $200 for a 1 to 2-person household
• $350 for a 3 to 4-person household
• $500 for a 5+ person household 

Note: GiveCard is a one-time grocery supplement that does not affect or replace your CalFresh benefits. 

The card can be used to purchase groceries online or in grocery stores and most markets that accept EBT. It cannot be used in restaurants or to purchase sugary or alcoholic beverages, or tobacco products.

You can check the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s Food Finder page for updates on food bank sites in San Francisco.  

If your card is lost or stolen, we cannot replace funds that have been used. But you can protect the remaining funds by following the steps below.  

• Lock your card to protect the remaining balance: Log in to your GiveCard account and select lock the card. If you are not able to use the portal, contact SFHSA for help at (855) 355-5757. 

• Request a replacement card to use the remaining balance: Call GiveCard at (628) 313-5351 to request a replacement card for the remaining funds.